Episode 258 Epilogue (6)
Lumière, the capital of Francia.
Presidential Palace (former Royal Palace of Francia)
“Welcome, Count of Aquitaine. Haha, thank you for accepting my invitation while you were busy.”
French President Maurice Talleyrand received a warm welcome.
Christine gracefully fluttered her fan, folded it loudly, and nodded at him in response.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. President.”
“Now this way. Would you still like coffee?”
“Let’s not hesitate. “If it’s something the President has in stock, the quality will be even better.”
“Hmm hmm. Please don’t think it’s too extravagant. Isn’t it human that when the tongue is happy, it feels good, and when the tongue feels good, it becomes soft? “It’s a nature of the job, haha.”
In response to Talleyrand’s joke, Christine sat down and smiled softly in response.
“I didn’t mean to say that.”
Talleyrand smiled bitterly and raised his hands.
“Oh, please take a moment, Count. I’m dying. “Because the object of comparison is Her Majesty, who goes beyond the realm of frugality, she is so bitten that she reflexively goes on the defensive.”
“Hmm.”
“Among them, aren’t the Count and Marquis the most feared opponents? “I hope you can understand.”
Christine smiled and savored the scent of the high-quality coffee that had been prepared without retorting.
After enjoying coffee for a while, Talleyrand cautiously opened his mouth.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Count of Aquitaine for the recent sale or separation of some areas he was in charge of.”
“It was nothing. “I took this action because I felt burdened by the excessively focused work.”
Christine answered casually, but Talleyrand knew it was just a polite answer.
Above all, the woman in front of me is a member of the National Assembly and the ruler of Franzia’s plutocracy, and she possesses monstrous capabilities that have managed the National Intelligence Service and the Navy astutely.
Talleyrand cleared his throat and opened his mouth again.
“These are not just empty words. “By voluntarily separating the parts that were inevitably focused on wartime, the lawmakers who had been concerned were relieved.”
Christine recently resigned from her position as a Navy admiral and as head of the Office of National Intelligence.
Aquitaine, which was responsible for all logistics and logistics within Francia, was divided into several business divisions and some were sold to state-owned enterprises.
In the eyes of the National Assembly and politicians, the influence previously held by the Count of Aquitaine went beyond concern and reached the realm of fear, so it is not unreasonable for them to be greatly relieved.
In fact, the Count of Aquitaine’s influence over Francia was evaluated as a greater threat than the influence of the Marquis de Lafayette, who practically dominated the revolutionary army.
“okay. “I never really had any other thoughts.”
Christine, who leisurely savored her coffee, said with a small smile.
But Talleyrand’s spine seemed to stand on end just by that.
“Of course, we did not suspect the Count of Aquitaine in that way. However, I was just concerned because it is not normal for a situation to be maintained only by relying on the favor of individuals.”
“Hmm, that’s right.”
Talleyrand cried inwardly at the sight of the pitch-black woman who still had no idea what she was thinking.
But unfortunately, the president had nowhere to run. Since he is the head of the government, of course he is the only one who dares to touch the Count of Aquitaine.
Rather than sanctioning her solo activities, the problem is that she is in a position where she has to beg for cooperation while worrying that she might be pulling out the nose hairs of a sleeping lion.
The debt owed to the Count of Aquitaine from the beginning of the war has not been repaid in full even now that Queen Esiliste has stepped down and he is serving his second term as president.
Who could treat her carelessly when the government has to worry about declaring bankruptcy if the Count of Aquitaine puts pressure on her?
Talleyrand opened his mouth, feeling the need for stomach medicine.
“The reason we are here today is because there is one more matter that requires the Count of Aquitaine’s cooperation.”
“What is it?”
“…Keuhum khum. “There is a need to gradually ease the burden of labor imposed on the demons of the Abyss Corporation.”
Talleyrand was anxious as he spoke.
After winning the war against the Abyss Corporation, the Allies established a military government in the Abyss Islands and mobilized them for labor.
It sounds like labor, but in reality, all the demons were enslaved.
Among them, the Aquitaine merchants who contributed the most to the temple received a huge amount of shares and naturally owned the largest number of demon slaves in their business.
Christine was just savoring her coffee in silence, and Talleyrand continued speaking, feeling his mouth dry.
“Of course, the devils have committed great sins and are carrying out their servitude. However, the exploitation of high-quality human resources at low prices is actually having a negative impact on Franzia’s economy.”
“Why is it like that? In Aquitaine, in order to avoid the collapse of Francia’s domestic economy, products produced in the Abyss system are sold at a similar price to domestic products of the same level, the remaining portion is exported, and the quantity released is also controlled. “The working environment according to the treaty is also complied with.”
Instead, by using slave demons, the benefit from the extremely low cost goes directly to the top of Aquitaine.
It is not for nothing that businessmen are eager to purchase business sites in the Abyss Islands, and the total capital of Aquitaine, which holds an unrivaled stake among them, is already evaluated as being equivalent to the total production of the entire Frangia.
And if this situation continues, it is natural for other businessmen to become dissatisfied. It is natural for large corporations that do not comply with standards to be subject to checks.
Of course, if you use that as an excuse, Aquitaine will ask you to repay the loan immediately, so talking like that won’t work.
“Keuhum khum. As you know, there are some opinions that it is unfair to place an excessively heavy burden on the entire race, even though the parties who started the Abyss Corporation war are already dead. In reality, we agreed to it for the sake of survival for now, but if this situation continues, there is a risk that it could become a source of conflict again at some point.”
In fact, as the horrors of war passed and the fear of drones became a topic of conversation, such opinions began to emerge.
Especially among the members of the Allied Forces dispatched to the Abyss Islands or those who run businesses in the Abyss Islands and have direct contact and exchanges with demons.
Among them, the one with the loudest voice is…
“…Governor Damien de Mirbeau is also strongly advocating for improved treatment.”
Christine laughed.
After the rumor that he confessed to Giselle Davy and then got dumped spread widely, Damien seems to have been comforted by Leah, the leader of the succubi.
And then…
-As expected, real women are dangerous! The woman of your dreams is the best! Succubus is the best!
He started making strange noises like…
Christine, who received this report, seriously suspected that Damien had been possessed and corrupted by demons, and called Eris, but the dear saint looked very pitiful and certified that no interference of any kind had been done to his mind.
So, after being dumped by the woman he was in love with, he was comforted by a succubus and fell in love with it so much that he began to actively call for an improvement in the treatment of demons.
This time, Christine completely agreed with Pierre’s assessment.
‘That’s what Franzia’s representative master craftsman said…’
Christine leisurely savored her coffee and nodded.
“great. “It would be a big problem if the demons started a war of independence, so if you put it on the agenda, we will help you.”
“Are you serious?”
To Talleyrand, who looked pleased, Christine added with a slight twitch of the corner of her mouth.
“Instead, let’s get temporary tax exemption benefits.”
Talleyrand immediately became a bully.
“No, let’s be honest, Count! The wealth you have now is enough to buy the whole of Francia, right? “Why do you need more money?”
“Merchants do not engage in business at a loss. This is also a benefit in the short term, but a loss in the long term. “I believe you know why I’m looking at you.”
“Hehehe…”
In the end, the Marquis de Lafayette or the saint asked him to do it, so he must have listened.
However, as the Count of Aquitaine said, if this situation is left unattended, problems will arise one day.
If you don’t correct it when the other person is communicating like this, you won’t be able to do anything later.
However, he has to carry the entire burden during his term of office.
Even though his predecessor was loved by the people more than anyone else, he was a saintly king who was praised for giving up his power without a word, and his watcher was Pierre de Lafayette, a murderous person even by the name of him.
Talleyrand once again desperately looked for stomach medicine.
* * *
A moment later.
Christine finished her day’s schedule and arrived at the mansion in a carriage.
“Welcome, ma’am.”
Dumont, an old butler with a big belly, bowed politely and said,
“Welcome, Mother.”
“mom!”
Christine bent down and hugged Leon and Fleur who were running towards her.
“Oh my gosh, Miss Fleur. Etiquette….”
“But it’s better to be comfortable at home. Mom is mom, right mom?”
Christine just smiled at her innocent and naive daughter’s whining.
“Mom, you worked hard at work today too.”
“Thank you, Leon. “Are you doing well in class?”
“Yes, I learned history and math today.”
The eldest son, Leon, is quiet for his age and likes books and indoors.
“Mom, can’t I learn swordsmanship from Uncle Gaston? “I begged him to teach me, but he said I had to get my parents’ permission!”
On the other hand, the daughter Fleur is very energetic and seems to have inherited the blood of a knight.
Christine smiled awkwardly at the contrasting siblings who couldn’t always get used to it.
“Um, get permission from your father.”
“Then did Mom give permission?”
“…uh?”
“As long as I get permission from my dad, will my mom give me permission?”
Christine was taken aback, but she unconsciously nodded as the child turned to face her with anticipation burning in her eyes.
“Wow, I’m so excited! How can dad seduce you… Uhihi?”
“…You’re too cowardly to dream of becoming a knight, using cuteness as a weapon, Fleur.”
“This is called flexibility, old man.”
“What what? hey! “You said everything!?”
Christine couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two children, who lost their politeness in an instant and started bickering like children.
Pierre was right.
The children don’t care whether she is called the Black Witch of Aquitaine or anything else.
Innocent children without any prejudice judged their mother only by what they saw and were willing to love her.
“Huh. Oh my gosh, look at my mind. Madam, now that I think about it, a guest has come to visit. “You arrived just a moment ago.”
Christine tilted her head in response to the elderly butler’s words.
“customer?”
* * *
When Christine entered the drawing room, Giselle Darby, who had been sitting stiffly, jumped up.
“Excuse me, Your Excellency, Count of Aquitaine! “I ask for your forgiveness for my rudeness in coming to you without making a prior appointment.”
“You can sit comfortably, Director Dabi.”
Christine gestured for her to sit down properly and then sat down across from Giselle Darby.
“Since you’re the director, you probably didn’t disturb me with unnecessary things. “What’s going on?”
Giselle made a perplexed expression and
then bowed deeply to Christine.
“I am sorry, Your Excellency, Count of Aquitaine. I made a mistake.”
Christine blinked.
“mistake? What?”
“…Master Lewis has me in his heart.”
Christine felt slightly relieved by the somewhat solemn tone of voice.
What’s new now?
Giselle was even more embarrassed by Christine’s reaction.
“It is absolutely not my intention to be selfish. … I thought it was a common yearning for younger siblings, so I definitely didn’t reject it, but that’s why… in the end.”
Christine looked at Giselle with a rather interesting expression.
In fact, Christine knew that Giselle Darby really did that.
When Louis finally confessed to Giselle after the war was over, Giselle responded by saying that if her feelings did not change after five years, she would think about it later.
If Giselle heard that Louis had made up his mind by telling Christine this, she would faint.
Perhaps Giselle, who was already in her mid-20s at the time, thought that Louise’s feelings would soon subside, like the love fever that a rich boy usually suffers from for a while.
I guess I didn’t know that it was a love that I had developed since I was a teenager.
“It looks like Lewis proposed marriage.”
Giselle responded urgently to Christine’s strange words, which she knew all about.
“I am sorry, Your Excellency, Count of Aquitaine. “I really didn’t mean to return the favor with vengeance. I…”
Seeing the cool-headed staff officer in complete confusion, Christine opened her mouth leisurely.
“Don’t you like Lewis?”
“No, that’s not it! I-”
“Then there’s no problem.”
“yes?”
“Lewis says he likes you, and I guess you don’t like him either, so let’s meet up first.”
Giselle gaped for a while and then slowly opened her mouth.
“I come from a commoner background.”
“She is the first female general.”
“…He is the head of a family that has a large family but is poor and lives with the support of His Excellency the Count.”
“Is there any problem? “Louis is a magician who makes a lot of money, and there is a lot of money in Aquitaine.”
In front of Giselle, who was speechless, Christine folded the fan that was fluttering softly and put it down.
“Of course, if you don’t like it because of what I did, you can dissuade Lewis-”
“That’s not true!”
Christine smiled lightly at Giselle, who answered urgently.
“Giselle Darby.”
“…Yes, Count.”
“thank you. I’m sure it’s thanks to you that my younger brother was able to stand proudly on his own without blaming me. So, I would be especially grateful if you could not see that child’s feelings as just a child’s, but as an equal person.”
Giselle was dazed, then stood up and bowed her head to Christine.
“…I apologize, Count of Aquitaine. “I was rude.”
Christine smiled and answered.
“are you okay. This is someone who might become family, but I’m willing to turn a blind eye to that. “In return, I hope you will grant my request.”
Only then was Giselle able to smile.
“Yes, definitely.”
Giselle looked relaxed, as if all her worries had been resolved with just that.
Christine hoped her actions would help Louis.
May it help my sister achieve her one and only wish of forgiving and understanding her mother’s enemy.
ardently.
* * *
After Giselle Darby passed away.
The cool winter wind blew, turning her cheeks red.
At one time, Christine hated winter.
When white snow flutters in the cold and life fades away.
Even though I didn’t like it, it reminded me of the blood scattered on the white snow in the winter when I was 18.
But right now, Christine is just sitting on the balcony, leisurely savoring wine.
I still can’t get used to this leisurely time.
Until just a few months ago, I had to move each day like a machine, following a timetable organized by the minute, and I took that for granted.
The position of admiral was entrusted to Ludovic Duheng, the captain of the Libre.
Lina, once Christine’s maid, became the head of the National Intelligence Service and became completely independent in Aquitaine.
The businesses she managed, which were tangled like a spider’s web, were distributed and entrusted to those who had been loyal and dedicated to those who had been worthy of attention.
Many of them would fall out of Aquitaine’s influence over time, but that was exactly what Christine had hoped for.
Now that Pierre has achieved everything he wanted, there is no reason to continue holding on to unnecessary power and making enemies.
Christine wanted to teach her children how to get what they could rather than burden them with a burden they could not bear to protect.
And above all.
I realized that enjoying time like this is not a bad thing.
Christine smelled the scent of wine and looked at the sunset sky.
After a time of waiting that was a little boring and a little exciting.
A shadow jumped onto the balcony.
Christine blinked her eyes and laughed as if it were absurd.
“I’m sure you’re the only one who would leave the front door of his own home and jump onto the second floor balcony, Pierre.”
Pierre approached with a secret smile.
“I want to see you quickly. Besides, isn’t that the right answer?”
Christine looked with loving eyes at the knight who came up to her and knelt down on one knee and kissed the back of her hand.
“I thought this day was a promise every year.”
Christine smiled.
When I was forgiven by Lewis and felt a sense of liberation but also a feeling of despair.
A man who came to her as if he knew how she felt.
She must have been drunk when she jumped onto the balcony and proposed to her fiancé first, which embarrassed her.
Christine chuckled and filled the glass she had prepared across from her with wine.
“Yes, that’s correct, Pierre.”
“Haha, that’s good. “For not disappointing my beloved wife again this year.”
Christine rolled her eyes sweetly.
Not a short amount of time has already passed since I married him.
Nevertheless, the reason why my heart tingles like this is probably because I heard the story of my innocent younger brother who patiently waited for me while asking me to wait.
“Have you waited long, Christine?”
Christine toasted the glass held out by Pierre and answered by slowly tilting her head.
“Um, quite a while?”
“Hmm, that seems very wrong. “If I had known this would happen, I would have handed everything over to Deje and ran away right away.”
Christine chuckled and laughed.
That would be unfair to someone who suffers every time Pierre is away.
And…
“But it’s okay.”
A winter that seemed like it would last forever in the 18-year-old’s hometown.
It was so long and so long.
-Do you know the flower language of black roses?
Every moment I walked, carving out my frozen heart, I felt pain, and it felt like it would last forever.
-It’s farewell.
It’s so painful and painful.
-Black roses also have different flower meanings.
The feeling of deceiving myself and trying to belittle myself.
-You are mine forever.
Until he forcibly dug it out and hugged it.
“Because it’s a wait that has an end.”
The Aquitaine winter, which seemed like it would last forever, came to an end when she was 28 years old.
“A toast to the driver who accepted my marriage proposal.”
“…If I see you reminding me of the mistake of my life every year, I tell you that you also have bad taste.”
Christine burst out laughing at Pierre’s joking gesture and toast.
Was it so unfair to him that she proposed?
-I am already yours.
In fact, she was much older than that.
-Would you please be mine too, Lady?
The moment he asked that, I was completely captured by him, including my body, mind, and soul.
Christine said, smiling at Pierre.
“It’s a little cold. “I’ve waited long enough, shall we go in now?”
“Haha, sure.”
The moment Pierre naturally got up and hugged her, Christine felt something cold hit her face and raised her head.
“…oh. “Is this your first snow?”
Christine stopped and laughed when she heard Pierre, who was staring blankly at the sky.
Now Christine loves winter.
It was a season that trapped her in guilt and responsibility.
Because it was also the season that showed her that she was free and loved.
“You are pretty. But I’m going to catch a cold. “Pierre.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Pierre suddenly went into the room, laid him down on the bed, and tried to get up, so Christine wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
“Hey Christine. “I haven’t even washed yet-”
“But it’s cold. Make me warm, Pierre.”
“…if you want.”
Now you no longer have to shiver from the cold when winter comes.
No matter how cold it is, you can believe that winter will eventually pass and happily wait for spring.
Because you will always and always come to me.
The black rose will bloom again after winter.
I will whisper to you that you will be mine forever and that I will be yours forever.
“I love you my Pierre.”
“I love you my Christine.”
End.
